CO129-459 - Individuals - 1919 — Page 490

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Evening Standard, 14/12/18.

While admitting the promising nature of the scheme, the writer dwells on the ob- vious weakness that so far it has only been applied to officers who are likely to become fit again for Army Service, and urges its extension to all officers certified for discharge. At present the thousands of officers who are yearly" gazetted out" on medical grounds are set adrift with no consideration for their future but the payment of their gratuities and the presentation of a Form to take to the Appointments Department."

It is of the highest national importance that officers should complete their edu- eation, and the suggested extension is the best means of encouraging them to do so; officers should be discharged through the Appointments Department.

Those whose future is assured could be gazetted out without delay, while those requiring training should be given opportunity (before final discharge) to obtain the necessary qualifications for their civil employment, remaining in the meantime officers and drawing the pay and allowances of their respective ranks. Adequate safeguarde-in the form of teats and standards against abuse of such priviliges would lie in the hands of the Department.

*(904)

Help for Ex-Service Men.

The scheme sanctioned by the Government for providing financial assistance for suitable ex-Service men of all ranks who desire to resume education and training for the higher professional and industrial posts is outlined in an official statement issued last night,

The amount of assistance will be separately determined in each case; candidates married before the armistice (November 11) may also get an allowance for maintenance of children up to the age of 15.

The types of training include higher education courses, practical training in offices, works, professional employments, and on farms. The Ministry of Pensions will co- operate on behalf of disabled officers and men.

Intending applicants, whether serving or discharged, who do not receive forms should apply on or after January 13 to one of the district directorates of the Ap- pointments Department of the Ministry of Labour.

TRANSFERS TO RESERVE, RELEASES, ETC.

Morning Post,

13/12/18.

Daily Telegraph, 12/12/18

*(918)

Purpose of Class "Z," Army Reserve.

The Secretary of the War Office last night issued the following statement: "Doubts having been expressed as to the objects of the Army Council in recently instituting Class 'Z' of the Army Reserve, it is notified that the sole intention of the Council in creating this special class of the Reserve was to provide a means by which demobilized soldiers could, until the termination of the war, be made available for recall to the Colours in the event of an eraergency remobilization of the Army becoming neces- sary, and in this way to facilitate the earlier release of men who would otherwise have to be retained with the Colours.

"Men transferred to this class of the Reserve do not wear uniform and are not sub- ject to military discipline.

As the power of recall will not be exercised except in case of military emergency, its existence will not interfere with the resettlement of the men in civil life, nor is it intended that it should be a bar to emigration or repatriation overseus. **

*(919)

Release of Reservists.

The Controller-General of Demobilization and Resettlement makes the following announcement:

All Class W and W (T) Reservists who are serving on a duration-of-war engagement, or serving a norinal engagement of which the full period of service has expired, and ali Clase P and P (T) reservists, irrespective of the terms of their engagement, are to be discharged from the Army ss from December 14, 1918, with the proviso that in any individual case, where by discharge the soldier would be deprived of long-service pension rights or reserve pay, the case is to be referred to the Secretary (Mobilisation), War Office, and the discharge suspended until a decision is given.

Reservists now in Class W who have Army Reserve service to complete will be transferred or retransferred to the Army Reserve, and men of the Territorial Force in Class W (T) of the Reserve serving on a normal engagement of which the full period has not expired will be disembodied. These instructions will not apply to conscientious objectors.

Class P and P (T) Reserve are men of low medical category whose services were considered to be temporarily of greater value to the country in civil life than in the Army, or men who, as a result of disability contracted in military service, have been placed in that class. Class W and W (T) Reserve are men whom the Military Service Acts have placed in the Reserve, but who have never served with the Colours, or Army men transferred to this class for civil employment.

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19

31-880

3° 750 1919

Jud

Ausd. 13859.

DRAFT.

W. Thomson E.

2~tient

MINUTE.

800-28/1/19 Dr. Comele

Mr.

Mr.

Mr. Grindle.

29.

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I attach the

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letter

receift of your

of the

10th of Jan,

a to inform you

that this Daftie is in

communication with the 2.0. with regard

to the release from military service of

Colonial official, alo

are at feat

Mr. Lambert.

Sir H. Read.

serrig

- HMS. From,

that

1

you

Sir G. Fiddes.

Mr. Hewins.

Mr. Long.

·should accrdingh await instructions

the matter from the military authorities

2. With regard

E

fflication for

leave

of

abrence

or you

demdilisation,

9

anto de fom

jou

ou

you rechose from militing serie

A you

will be granted, subject to the exigencies

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